Sunday, February 28, 2010

February Girl




This gal is as sweet as apple pie! I met her through her boyfriend, bad ass photographer Dylan Reyes. Dylan and I worked on a photo shoot at her house on Christmas Eve, I was fascinated by her skills in wrapping and presenting gifts, done like a true artist! Not only is She crafty she is super cute!! introducing Bits and Baubles February Girl!


Name: Amanda Lee

Interests: Decorating, Reading, Dancing, Vintage shopping, Blogging

How Long have you lived in Nashville? 11 years.

Favorite Nashville Spot? Fido. I love that coffee shop. If i am not at my house I am usually sitting on the porch at fido.

Favorite Nashvillian living or dead? Living: Dylan Reyes, Photograher and super handsome boyfriend(shameless plug) Dead: Johnny Cash. I know its obvious, but I cant help it.

check out her blog here

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Shortcake Dolls.








This is why I absolutely adore Lula Magazine! Because no other magazine on earth dedicates and entire editorial to Strawberry Shortcake!

photos courtesy of Lula Magazine









This is one of the best ad campaigns in a while! Lindsay Wixson is a stunner!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Pot O Gold.




Every now and then I like to post some of my amazing finds, that will be safely kept and preserved in my archive collection. I scored this amazing Victorian folk dress at Salvation Army a couple days ago. The fabric is an amazing mixture of green and black wool and velvet! The most amazing part of the dress is the impeccable leaf embroidery and applique detailing. It looks as though it was hand sewn. The best part is that the back is even prettier than the front, love a dress like that. And after a few minor repairs on some moth issues, you may see me rockin this one of these days!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Siren's Song.


This woman is such an inspiration. Mother, Model, Store Owner, Muse, and Singer. I saw Karen Elson perform at Webster Hall in NYC when The Citizens Band opened for the White Stripes. She was basking in a pregnant glow, and her voice like a siren brought me to tears.

she is now signed to her husbands label Third Man Records
Fan her Facebook page now

Italians do it better.








I absolutely adore the Spring Summer Missoni campaign, shot by Juergen Teller. They seem like such an amazing family, and those colors in their house...wow!
Coming from an Italian American family this campaign reminds me of my Grandpa, and my Aunt Emma, *that was my Granpa's sister, she made the most amazing food and desserts, I remember my Grandpa always wore an Argyle sweater with a Fedora and feather in it. The man had style. In fact, I don't know many Italians save for the Jersey Shore kids that don't have style.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Nita and Zita






I love vintage costumes! I became a collector when I was in high school finding amazing show pieces that were discarded at thrift stores and junk shops. I found the most amazing vintage 1920s ice skating costume at the Manhattan Vintage Show years ago, it is one of those things that I may never wear but will stare at in my archive collection for inspiration. Last night my good friend and fellow vintage dealer Kim stopped by my house to show me her amazing 1920's Rockettes Costume!! It was the most beautifully constructed piece of clothing I have ever seen. So beautiful in fact, it inspired me to write this post!! ( by the way, Kim's vintage collection Rocks check out some of her wares here here)

Whenever I get the time I do a lot of research on costumes and dancers.
One such pair of dancers that I found on a fluke while researching online are Nita and Zita...here is their story.






"Flora and Piroska immigrated to the U.S. from the Jewish shtetl of Nagybanya, Hungary, in 1922 to pursue their career as "international dancers," performing under the names Nita and Zita. Photos indicate that their act combined burlesque and acrobatics. Together, they performed all over the United States, and, as far as we can tell, Shanghai, Panama, and perhaps Paris and Egypt. The sisters were known for carrying their elaborate, handmade clothes and costumes with them in two steamer trunks.

In the late 1940's, the sisters settled in New Orleans and became quite reclusive. Their home became their refuge. They painted their entire house -- inside and out -- in brightly colored sponge patterns, and painted most of their furniture with intricate spider web figures. On the rare occasions that they did leave the house, they dressed in fine handmade clothes of their own design.

Flora and Piroska died in 1985 and 1991 respectively. They are buried in the pauper's section of Hebrew's Rest Cemetery in New Orleans. The only people present at Piroska's funeral were a Rabbi and Betty Kirkland, the sisters' next door neighbor. Upon gaining permission from their only living relative to sell the sisters' belongings, Ms. Kirkland opened their home to what became a five-year garage sale. The house was literally packed with thousands of pieces of handmade clothing, hundreds of photos of Nita and Zita performing, handmade bead curtains, handmade placards advertising Nita and Zita performances, and more. Curious locals, vendors of vintage clothing and -- eventually -- collectors of outsider art snapped up Nita and Zita's clothes, furniture, photos and collectibles until Ms. Kirkland closed up shop in 1996. This sparked a veritable New Orleans underground "war," as several vintage clothing store vendors and Ms. Kirkland clashed over who was the authentic protector of Nita and Zita's image and memory.

Today, Judy's Collage, the vintage store which was the primary seller of Nita and Zita goods, has closed down. The proprietor, Cindy MacMurray, has created a website in Nita and Zita's memory, and made a poster paying homage to the two sisters. One of Nita and Zita's costumes is in the collection of the Lousiana State Museum in the French Quarter. We have a few Nita and Zita pieces which we use in the show, on loan from a local New Orleans collector. As far as we know, all other Nita and Zita pieces are scattered across New Orleans and the country, held by private collectors.

The Clothes

From what we have gathered, Nita and Zita would shop at thrift stores, looking for clothing made out of the highest quality fabric possible. They would alter the clothes for fit, as well as to match their personal style. Many of their dresses featured long sleeves that tapered down to a point at the knuckles of the hand. Much of the clothing featured prominent stitching wit thick, dark yarn. Our costume designer, Olivia Wildz, used actual Nita and Zita costumes as a starting point and inspiration for her original designs for the show.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Edith Head.














The most fabulous woman in the history of Hollywood Costume Design.
for more info click Here

Saturday, February 20, 2010

"Fashion fades



is eternal" YSL


Jeremy Scott Fall 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010